DJ PROMO: Shirazee – “Different”

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West African singer and songwriter Shirazee releases his compelling new video for “Different,” his debut single on Island Records/Lokal Legend. The video was shot in 13 different countries, completely on an iPhone 6s. Drawn to his song’s message and the creative visual concept, Apple Music premiered the video last week with a global exclusive.

The video for “Different” was a year in the making from its conception to its execution. “Many challenges and obstacles made it seem at times an impossible task,” Shirazee recalls, “but staying the course paid off in the end. I enjoyed the process because it meant revisiting parts of my life that were starting to feel distant, creatively, and some destinations were almost therapeutic. I truly hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did making it.”

Over the past few years, Shirazee has built an impressive catalog as a songwriter, penning songs for fellow Island/Lokal Legend artist Kiesza, and the likes of Sting, Ty Dolla $ign, and many others.

From Benin, he traveled to Ghana for high school (where a passion for hip-hop led him to discover OutKast), then to the UK for a brief college stint, then South Africa before heading to Paris. The journey continued in Atlanta where he recalls, “making connections by freestyling outside of Guitar Center.” He set his sights on the Big Apple, and within eight months, had signed his first publishing deal.